Smart City: Discovering the Data on Christchurch's Cycle Counters
Cycling to Work: Rediscovering the Awesomeness of Biking
After a long hiatus, I recently started biking to work again - encouraged by the new cycle lanes in Christchurch. In this blog post, I aim to share my experiences, introduce the Christchurch City Council's Smartview website, and delve into the reasons behind opposition to cycle lanes.
Christchurch's Cycle Lanes:
It's hard to miss the growing number of cycle lanes in Christchurch and the growing number of cyclists using them. Many of these lanes separate cyclists completely from traffic flows, which provides a great sense of safety.
I'm frequently amazed at the number of cyclists utilising these lanes for morning commutes – often huge hordes of them, and interestingly it seems there are more women than men. While I can only speculate on the reasons for this gender distribution, perhaps women are just less attached to their cars than men.
During my morning commute, I’ve often found myself in a group of 30 or more cyclists at the traffic lights. A perk of riding in a group of cyclists is the peloton effect, where you can be effortlessly carried along in the slipstream traveling faster with minimal effort.
The Benefits of Biking:
Health, Efficiency, and Environmental Stewardship
One of the advantages of biking to work for me is the time it takes. My typical commute lasts 20 minutes – similar to driving on low-traffic days and much faster when there’s congestion. I like that it’s healthy too, and I’m a big advocate for incorporating regular exercise into our lifestyles. Christchurch's flat terrain is perfect for biking — although if you live on the hill e-bikes are an option (especially if you're over 50!) It’s an enjoyable and invigorating exercise routine. Moreover, our typically dry weather conditions make biking viable for most days of the year. I often choose to drive on rainy days but find that I only need my car for around 10% of my trips on average.
Understanding the Opposition to Bike Lanes and Cyclists:
Despite my perception of how great the city’s bike lanes are, it's important to acknowledge that not everyone likes them. One such opponent is Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger, who has expressed a desire to "pull the plug" on cycleways[1]in the city, despite listing climate change as a top concern.
People's resistance to bike lanes and cyclists seems to stem from from four factors:
- Loss of Parking or Vehicle Lanes: Some people, particularly motorists, resent bike lanes leading to a loss of parking spaces or driving lanes, especially in areas already struggling with parking or congestion.
- Perceived Lack of Use: In areas with low cycling rates or during off-peak seasons, there can be a perception that bike lanes are underutilized and not worth the space they occupy or the cost of construction.
- Change in Road Hierarchies: Bike lanes challenge the traditional hierarchy of road users, which has long favoured motorized vehicles. This shift can lead to resentment or resistance from those accustomed to the status quo.
- Poor Cyclist Behaviour: When cyclists disobey traffic rules, it contributes to opposition towards bike lanes and cycling infrastructure. Disregarding traffic laws raises safety concerns and can create a perception of unfairness if cyclists are seen as benefiting from infrastructure changes without following the same rules as motorists. It's important to remember that negative stereotypes about cyclists can be reinforced by the actions of a few individuals. Some people are just dicks.
While it's crucial to understand different perspectives, I think the benefits of safe cycling infrastructure greatly outweighs the benefits—it reduces traffic congestion, promotes healthier lifestyles, and contributes to a cleaner environment. Just like any change, some people may resist, but history has shown that transformational projects often yield long-term benefits that outweigh initial skepticism. Remember the initial opposition to the $1.4B ultra fast broadband initiative? And back in the 90’s I remember a lot of opposition to building Auckland’s Sky Tower. People thought it would be an ugly ‘zit’ on the skyline, but is now one of the things that makes the city distinctive (I did live in Auckland for 15 years). I hope one day, as cycle lanes enable safe commuting, we’ll all be glad we invested in them.
Christchurch's Smartview Website:
Unleashing the Power of Data
For those interested, Christchurch City Council's Smartview website showcases statistics from approximately 30 cycle sensors installed throughout the city, providing insights into cycling patterns and usage. Beyond cycling data, Smartview offers live information on pedestrian counters, the bus network, EV charging stations, road works, and even car crash hotspots among other things. The Linwood Ave, Buckleys Rd, Aldwins Rd intersection is among the worst crash hotspots. Explore the website at your leisure: https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try biking to work. My personal experience has been overwhelmingly positive, thanks to the incredible cycling infrastructure in our city. And although we're approaching winter—a season that presents some challenges for biking—I couldn't resist sharing my enthusiasm. Remember, the journey begins with a single pedal stroke. If you've considered biking before but never acted on it, I recommend checking out the online Christchurch Bike Map. The red "cycleway" lines represent the best routes, separating cyclists from other traffic, while yellow "cycle lanes" and off-road "shared paths" offer alternative options. You might be surprised at how easily you can commute from your house to your workplace.
While initial investments, such as acquiring a bike, helmet, lights, and gloves for winter riding, are required, the benefits far outweigh these minor inconveniences. If you don't own a bike, you can obtain by providing some koha (a donation) at Rad Bikes, located near the Town Hall.
So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the ride, experience the benefits, and help shape Christchurch's future as a smart city.
[1] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/opinion-how-to-blow-33m-city-council-style/2F3DABFZFNG25NBTVIJNYXQFKQ/